Customer Reviews

Sense and Sensuality: Jesus Talks to Oscar Wilde on the Pursuit of Pleasure (Great Conversations Series)

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I have never sat down to submit a review after reading a book in one sitting. This book compells me to do so for several reasons. First, however, I have to take issue with the two reviewers preceding me; the Rutherford, New Jersey person clearly and unfortunately missed the point of the book, because Zacharias's entire book addresses the types of yearnings the reviewer accuses Zacharias of disregarding! A careful reading of the book clearly demonstrates this. The book addresses from the very first page to the last the desire for pleasure that God himself gave us, and the right (Godly) and wrong (immoral) means to pursue that end.

... This whole book focuses on Jesus seeking out and comforting Wilde -- and offering Himself as a sacrifice for Wilde's sins, just as He did for mine. Jesus did not judge Wilde in this dialogue -- he sought out his company and many times told him He understood him. This book is an illustration of the very character of Christ -- love, compassion, intimacy, grace, and forgiveness. As Jesus says on page 79, "It was at [the cross] that your ultimate worth was upheld. It's because My heart was broken that I'm able to heal yours. Blaise [Pascal] was right -- all truths are governed by laws. This one is the way of life and death. I reach out to you through the price I paid for you." In the next paragraph, Christ reminds Wilde that "love cannot be coerced." (p. 79) He loves each of us enough to let us choose Him, because He desires our genuine love, not love that is forced.

...throughout the book, Zacharias touches on, and Jesus repeatedly acknowledges, how often throughout his life Oscar Wilde sought Christ; in addition, the end of the book features a poem by Wilde that beautifully illustrates this.

As for my take on the book, it's a phenomenal testament to why Christ came, died, and what He wants for us. It addresses an issue that permeates our society today -- the wild(e) pursuit (pun intended) of sensual pleasure. Rather than condemn the desire within us for sensual pleasure, Zacharias reminds us that Christ teaches that sensual pleasure is a desire planted within us by our loving Father, and that properly pursued, we can be fully satisfied. Jesus Christ, Zacharias reminds us, is the only true road to joy, pleasure, passion, and intimacy.

An excerpt from the dialogue on page 72 between Wilde, Jesus, and Blaise Pascal that kind of sums it all up:

"Jesus: The perfect expression for passion is in the soul -- when you love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and soul and strength. That communion of your person with the person of God enables you to see every other person as precious in His sight. The body becomes His temple. That takes you beyond the sun (the earthly and temporary) --

Pascal: And comes only through His Son. Every other passion will exhaust itself. Pleasures are meant to point you to the greatest pleasure of all, the presence of our heavenly Father."

I have read this book a few times now, and I can wholeheartedly say that I have never read a book that more clearly portrays the pathetic nature of the human heart, nor provided greater insights than this book does.

Some say this is not an acurate protrayal of Oscar Wilde, but I think they are wrong. The book shows the corruption of the heart that is evident in all people, including: Oscar Wilde, Mother Theresa, myself, the reader of my review, and all other people. This is not a book about one man's struggle, it is about the struggle that every person faces in life, and it is an invaluable resource for all people.

In a culture that celebrates the pursuit of sensuality without boundaries this book shines. I could not put this book down. The arguments against the pursuit of pleasure for pleasure's sake are compelling.
Written with great historical and theological insight Ravi Zacharias has written a deeply moving book on subjects as diverse as holiness, beauty and morality.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has chased after pleasure with both hands, found it to be hollow and unsatisfying but doesn't know why.

This is Dr. Zacharias' second "Great Conversations" book, and it has a marked improvement over "the Lotus and The Cross." One of the strengths is that he is dealing with the witty Oscar Wilde, and included his scintillating quips and quotes, which makes for hilarious reading at times.

This book is more of a trialogue, with Rene Descartes being Jesus' "Second" in the discussion, filling the role of George MacDonald in C. S. Lewis' "Great Divorce." So we have the Savior discussion things, and at time we have two mere mortals speaking to us, after the manner of our language and understanding.

This book is livelier than "The Lotus and the Cross," due to Oscar Wilde's wit and silvertongue. Inadvertently, Dr. Zacharias underscores the limits of humor, in addition to the laws and principles under girding pleasure. That is a novel idea to people--pleasure is not like a pie-eating contest, but more like a fine banquet, with the appetizer, main course, and dessert.

By the way, Paul Copan has written two books on deflating the witty slogans and bumper-sticker thoughts that gum-down Christians: "True For You, But Not For Me," and "That's Just Your Interpretation."

I love the book's format--the medium is the message! The book is small, inviting, and has those soft photographs. The dialogue is plain and simple, and there is no jargon or confusing philosophic doubletalk that generates more heat than light.

The only criticism I have is that there is not a lot of background into Wilde's very wild life. I found Dover's Thrift Edition of "Dorian Grey" to have a nice five-paragraph biography that filled in some missing details, and provided a nice background text to be read before and after reading Dr. Zacharias' book.

"Sense and Sensuality" is a good introduction to the Christian viewpoint on two fundamental aspects of life: pleasure and pain. Dr. Zacharias deals with these seemingly contradictory sensations in a fictional conversation between Jesus (with an assist by Blaise Pascal) and Oscar Wilde, a man known for his Bacchian way of approaching life.

For me, "Sense and Sensuality" served as a reminder of the transitory nature of human existence, and thus the futility of finding hope in pleasure or living in fear of pain. After all, to have a shot at the best pleasures possible you have to be young, healthy, good-looking, and rich (or so sayeth the Media). But how many people actually have all of those qualities in abundance, and how long do they really last? Even Hugh Hefner will pass away someday, and then what? Suffering in this world is the other side of the coin, and as bad as it is, death will deliver us from it someday. Therefore, if this life is all there is, then we might as well throw our lot in with Wilde and live it up. Even the Bible agrees with that mindset (1 Cor. 15:32).

But, what if there is more to existence than this life? Do suffering and happiness serve a greater purpose? As Dr. Zacharias' Jesus states, "pain and pleasure are pointers to what ultimately matters (pg. 80)" - and that is a loving relationship with God through the gospel of Christ. It is in this context that an eternal perspective based on a passion for God is cultivated, a "fire...in the soul" as Pascal states. Only then can pleasure and pain be put into perspective, and understood for what they are.

It appears that other reviewers are a bit upset at Dr. Zacharias' portrayal of Oscar Wilde, but perhaps they can take comfort in the idea that Wilde may be exposed to a wider audience as a result. At any rate, "Sense and Sensuality" is a quick read that will generate long-term contemplation.

On November 29, 1900, as Oscar Wilde lay on his death bed, he suddenly asked for his priest, that he might receive the last rites. In this book, author and Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, imagines a last discussion between Wilde and Jesus Christ on the nature of freedom and responsibility and love.

I very much enjoyed this book, which reminded me a great deal of the Socratic dialogues, written by Plato. As with those books, this one was written to prove the superiority of the philosophy of one of the characters. Also, Dr. Zacharias is not an expert on Oscar Wilde, and does not say that he consulted any, but instead relied on Wilde's own writings.

But, that said, I thought that this was a very interesting and well-written book, one which gave me a great deal of food for thought. If you are looking for an erudite and sympathetic analysis of Oscar Wilde's philosophy, you *will* be disappointed with this book. But, if you are interested in a fascinating, thought provoking book, then I highly recommend this book to you!

This review refers specifically to the audio CD version of the product.

Ravi Zacharias provides a wonderful glimpse into the mind and heart of Oscar Wilde as Wilde approaches his final days and considers his life and actions. Wilde enjoys a unique opportunity to converse with Jesus and with Blaise Pascal. The dialog is sometimes humorous and always thought-provoking.

The audio version of this book is highly recommended because it will allow you to listen over and over again. Why would you want to listen repeatedly? As Wilde reconsiders his past and his actions that hurt his family and acquaintances, Jesus and Pascal provide insights about the motives behind Wilde's behavior. They also consider the consequences of the behaviors and the implications for Wilde's salvation.

I found the principles to be so important that they were worth hearing again and again until understanding of the concepts gelled. Each subsequent listening helps assure that the lessons learned will endure in the mind. This recording will help you in your Christian walk.

I thought that this was a great fictitious conversation between Jesus and Oscar Wilde. It delved deep into the nature of man and our ability to enjoy our indulgences. The dialogue was well written, the conclusions made perfect sense and the book will really make you think. I'd recommend it to anyone. It works as Christian fiction, but it also works as a philosophical treatise.

DKS

Reviews of Ravi Zacharias' amazing little book will most assuredly demonstrate worldview bias. Those who seemed to enjoy and profit from the book will most likely find themselves in tune with the Scriptures and what the Bible has to say about the purpose of human sexuality - its righteous and unrighteous practice. From Zacharias book:
"On pleasure: those who honor what God intended for us to honor will find fulfillment. Those who desecrate what He has made sacred will leave themselves empty and ravaged. In our cultural struggle when sex and sexuality create huge divisions, we would do well to remember that the enjoyment of sex was not man's idea, but God's. But to enjoy it by ungodly means is man's idea, *not* God's. Ask Oscar Wilde!
Oscar Wilde wrestled with God's revelation to man his entire life - he read Pascal's *Pensees* while in prison. Wilde is also a most excellent case study in the truth of the above maxim. He wished to depart from his own moral and sexual evil, but found that his will in the matter was *bound by sin.* How true Charles Wesley's hymn becomes for such a sad life as that of the genius, Oscar Wilde: but then Wesley found deliverance. "Fast bound in sin and nature's night . . . Thy eye diffused a quickening ray, I woke, arose and followed Thee . . . amazing love, how can it be - that Thou my God (in essence) should deliver me from the prison of my own heart! Analogy: the story of *Robinson Crusoe* - who initially believed himself to be a prisoner on an island, but when discovering a Bible on the wrecked ship came to understand that the *true* bondage was to his own sinful heart. And yes, God set Crusoe free by His amazing love and grace. As He has most mercifully done for this reviewer. Solus Christus - Soli Deo Gloria!

I have been a fan of Dr. Zacharias' books and lectures for many years now. Having recently read biographies of both Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas I thought there would be some interesting insight here. The book is not as strong as it could be. As for the life of Wilde there is really nothing new here. That said, the conversation between Jesus, Oscar Wilde, and Blaise Pascal creates an interesting juxtaposition. Dr. Zacharias has done a great service in his conversation with Jesus series of books. My only negative comment is the back handed comments by Dr. Zacharias in this book toward Roman Catholic liturgy and sacramental belief. As a Catholic, that is one conversation I would like to have with Dr. Ravi Zacharias.